INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Democratic Party, the organization that advocates for Hoosiers, their families, and workers, is today announcing that ZeNai Brooks will serve as the next Executive Director of the party. ZeNai (pronounced zuh-NAY) will begin the role on April 24.
Brooks was the Democratic nominee for State Auditor in 2022 and visited much of the state during her campaign. ZeNai serves as the Finance and Operations Director of the Corporate Responsibility function of Cummins, as well as treasurer of the company’s foundation.
She is also on the board of the Indiana CPA Society, along with other national and local organizations, and has been awarded for her work in the field of accounting multiple times.
“The Indiana Democratic Party is thrilled to announce that ZeNai Brooks will serve as the party’s next executive director. ZeNai is uniquely qualified for this role with her background as a statewide candidate and her experience with Cummins, one of Indiana’s best companies,” said Indiana Democratic Party Chairman Mike Schmuhl. “ZeNai has shown a serious commitment to advancing the needs of Hoosiers, and ensuring every community has the power to be successful in our state.”
“As a faith, business, and community leader in Indiana, I am excited to take on the challenge of strengthening our party from the ground up, really leaning into and operationalizing the business of politics,” said ZeNai Brooks. “I will also leverage my experience to connect politics to the community in order to effectively engage under-represented communities. By connecting with and mobilizing Hoosiers from every part of the state, we will build an inclusive, big tent party that best represents Indiana and helps regain political power.”
Below is her full biography, which is available on the Indiana Democratic Party’s website:
ZeNai Brooks is a CPA, author, faith and millennial leader with extensive business and civic experience in Indiana and across the country. In 2022, ZeNai was the Democratic nominee for Indiana state auditor. She ran on a platform of ensuring direct financial impact to communities and showing more care for Hoosiers.
As she did during the campaign, ZeNai is committed to building a coalition by uniting under-represented groups around the state to fight for the rights of all Hoosiers to make our communities better. Standing at the intersection of being a young, Black woman of faith, ZeNai fundamentally believes that we should all use our skills and experiences to positively impact the lives of others (“Lifting As We Climb”).
Leveraging her experience in corporate America for the last 15 years, ZeNai is focused on strategic thinking, operational excellence, and efficient processes to help position the Indiana Democratic Party for electoral success now and in the future.
Professionally, ZeNai has combined her commitment to community advocacy and her professional career as the Finance and Operations Director of the Corporate Responsibility function of Cummins, a Fortune 200 company, and treasurer of its related foundation. ZeNai also serves as the Central Region President and National Director of NABA, Inc. (formerly National Association of Black Accountants), and a Board Member with the Indiana CPA Society (INCPAS), Leadership Indianapolis, Indy Chamber’s BOI, and Rise Indy. As a faith leader, ZeNai oversees church operations, hosts leadership workshops, and even teaches and preaches.
ZeNai’s most recent accomplishments include 40 under 40 Black CPA Award winner, INCPAS’ Building Bridges to the Profession, NABA’s Frank Ross Outstanding Member, NABA’s Dynamic Leadership, and Junior Achievement of Indy’s Best and Brightest. ZeNai is the author of FINISH! Leveraging career, sport, faith, and failure (available on Amazon) and hosting a blog at ladyzspeaks.com.
ZeNai received her BA in Accounting from the University of Louisville, where she was a scholarship track and field athlete.
